Feeder cassette for a component processing unit

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a feeder cassette for feeding electronic components into a component processing unit. The cassette includes an assembly body having a plurality of slots formed on opposing interior sides thereof to form channels within the assembly body. The channels are designed to receive a plurality of components therein, preferably in pre-packed flat tubes. A leaf spring having a button projecting from the distal end of each of the fingers of the leaf spring permits only the components from a desired "activated" channel to be released. The cassette is indexed forwardly until all of the components have been released from each of the channels sequentially. The buttons of the spring fingers also serve to hold the components within the cassette if the cassette is withdrawn from the feeder unit at any time prior to fully emptying the tubes.

We claim: 
     
       1. A snap-in feeder cassette device for feeding a plurality of components into a component processing unit, said device comprising: a component holder body having a plurality of channels formed therein, each channel accommodating a plurality of components;   an outlet for discharging each of the components from the channels; and   a means for activating each of said channels sequentially as said tube holder body is indexed forwardly, so as to discharge components from an activated channel prior to activating the next channel, and continuing until all of the components are discharged, said activating means maintaining the components within said channels anytime that said device is removed from the component processing unit prior to emptying all of said channels, wherein said activating means comprises a leaf spring, said leaf spring having one finger for each of said channels, and wherein each of said fingers has a button fixed at the distal end thereof.   
     
     
       2. A device as in claim 1, wherein said channels are slanted. 
     
     
       3. A device as in claim 2, further comprising a stop projecting inwardly at the lower portion of each of said channels.